ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE - Infection Prevention Control

1 02. Community Infection Prevention and Control ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . Guidance for Health and Social Care ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE Version May 2015. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 02 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE May 2015 Version Page 1 of 10. 02. Please note that the internet version is the only version that is maintained. Any printed copies should, therefore, be viewed as uncontrolled' and as such, may not necessarily contain the latest updates and amendments. _____. This guidance document has been adopted as a policy document by: Organisation.

2 Signed: .. Job Title: .. ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . Date Adopted: .. Review Date: .. If your organisation would like to exclude or include any additional points to this document, please include below. Please note, the Community IPC team cannot endorse or be held responsible for any addendums. Community Infection Prevention and Control Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Gibraltar House, Thurston Road Northallerton, North Yorkshire. DL6 2NA. Tel: 01423 557340. email: Legal Disclaimer This guidance produced by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is provided as is', without any representation endorsement made and without warranty of any kind whether express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, non- infringement, compatibility, security and accuracy.

3 These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under these terms and conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. 02 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE May 2015 Version Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Page 2 of 10. 02. Contents Page 1. 4. 2. When should an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE be used? .. 4. 3. Who should undertake an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE ? .. 4. 4. The principles of asepsis/ ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE .

4 5. 5. Good practice .. 5. ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . 6. The procedure for dressing a wound using an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE .. 5. 7. Non-touch TECHNIQUE (clean TECHNIQUE ) .. 7. 8. Symbols and their 9. 9. Additional IPC resources .. 9. 10. References .. 9. 11. Appendices .. 9. Appendix 1: Hand Hygiene TECHNIQUE for Staff .. 10. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 02 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE May 2015 Version Page 3 of 10. 02. ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . 1. Introduction An ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE is used to carry out a procedure in a way that minimises the risk of contaminating an invasive device, , urinary catheter, or a susceptible body site such as the bladder or a wound.

5 2. When should an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE be used? ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . The following are some examples of when an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE should be used, but is not an exhaustive list: when inserting, maintaining or dressing an invasive device, , urinary catheter, wound drain when infusing sterile fluids and medication when dressing wounds healing by primary intention, , surgical wounds, burns dressing deep wounds that lead to a cavity or sinus minor surgery procedures suturing wounds vaginal examination using instruments, , smear taking, high vaginal swab, insertion of IUCD.

6 If the patient is immunosuppressed, diabetic or at high risk of Infection . 3. Who should undertake an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE ? Only staff trained and competent in an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE should undertake this procedure. Adherence to the principles of asepsis (as described below) plays a vital role in preventing the transmission of Infection in any environment. It is the responsibility of each member of staff who undertake an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE to understand the meaning of these principles and to incorporate them into their everyday practice.

7 Education, training and assessment of ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE should be provided for all persons before undertaking such procedures. It is good practice to undertake peer audits to monitor competency and a record of training and audit should be available. Staff undertaking an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE should be free from Infection , , colds, sore throats, septic lesions. 02 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE May 2015 Version Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust Page 4 of 10. 02. 4. The principles of asepsis/ ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE Asepsis is defined as the absence of pathogenic (harmful) organisms.

8 The principles of asepsis/ ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE are: reducing activity in the immediate vicinity of the area in which the procedure is to be performed keeping the exposure of a susceptible site to a minimum checking all sterile packs to be used for evidence of damage or moisture penetration ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE . ensuring all fluids and materials to be used are in date not re-using single use items ensuring contaminated/non-sterile items are not placed in the sterile field ensuring appropriate hand decontamination prior to the procedure protecting uniform/clothing with a disposable apron using sterile gloves.

9 5. Good practice Use standard precautions. Dispose of single use items after use. Do not re-use. Dispose of single patient use items after the service user's treatment (single patient use items can be decontaminated and re-used again on the same service user, but cannot be used on another service user). Store sterile equipment in clean, dry conditions, off the floor and away from potential damage. Dispose of waste as per local policy. 6. The procedure for dressing a wound using an ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE Avoid exposing or dressing wounds or performing an ASEPTIC procedure for at least 30 minutes after bed making or domestic cleaning to allow any dust particles to settle.

10 Staff should be Bare Below the Elbows' (see Hand Hygiene Guidance). Maintain a sterile field throughout the procedure. Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust 02 ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE May 2015 Version Page 5 of 10. 02. Decontaminate hands by washing with liquid soap and warm water or by applying alcohol handrub, using the recommended TECHNIQUE (see Appendix 1: Hand hygiene TECHNIQUE for staff poster). Decontaminate the trolley (or working surface to be used if trolley not available, , in a service users home) with detergent and warm water or detergent wipes and dry.